A Beginner’s Guide to the 12 Principles of Animation.

Do you want to learn how to animate like a pro? If so, you need to know the 12 principles of animation. These principles were developed by Walt Disney and his animators, and have been used in animation ever since. In this blog post, we will discuss each of these principles in detail and show you how they are used in animation. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

In the 1930s, Disney Animation Studios was rapidly growing, and animation techniques were evolving. Animation became more sophisticated as technology advanced, and with it, so did the demand for higher-quality animation. To meet this demand, Walt Disney and his team of animators developed the 12 Principles of Animation to provide a set of guidelines for animators to follow. The principles provided structure and consistency to animated films, ensuring that each one achieved the highest level of quality possible. By following these principles, animators could create characters and stories that viewers could connect with on an emotional level. These principles are still used today by professional animators around the world. They are essential for creating realistic movement, believable characters, engaging stories, and captivating visuals. Animation is used to bring life and movement to characters, and these principles help ensure that movement looks natural. The 12 principles of animation are:

1. Squash and stretch
2. Anticipation
3. Staging
4. Straight Ahead Action & Pose-to-Pose
5. Follow Through & Overlapping Action
6. Slow In & Out
7. Arcs
8. Secondary Action
9. Timing
10. Exaggeration
11. Solid Drawing
12. Appeal

Squash & Stretch: Squash and Stretch is one of the most important principles in animation. It refers to the stretching or squashing of a character’s body as they move. This creates volume, weight, and flexibility within the animation and helps give characters a more realistic look. Animators use this principle to make characters appear as if they have mass and momentum, rather than appearing rigid or robotic. Squash and stretch can be applied to any part of the animation, such as facial expressions, limbs, and overall body language, all while maintaining believability and consistency.

Anticipation: Anticipation is another essential principle of animation. It refers to the action that leads up to a main movement or event. Animation professionals use this technique to make an action look more natural and believable. For example, when a character is about to jump, they will usually crouch down first before leaping into the air. This gives the audience the feeling that this action has been well thought out and prepared for, rather than being spontaneous and sudden. Anticipation can also be used for facial expressions; if a character is about to laugh or smile, their face will typically light up slightly ahead of time in anticipation of that emotion. Animators will frequently use anticipation in order to create smoother transitions between actions or emotions within a scene.

Staging: Staging is an important principle of animation that refers to how an action or event is presented to the audience. Animation professionals use staging to create a clear understanding of what’s happening in any given scene. By using different camera angles and perspectives, animators can emphasize certain actions or points within a scene. Animation studios often use this principle when creating scenes that need clarity and focus, such as fight scenes or comedic moments. Staging also helps bring out certain emotions in characters; for example, if a character is feeling angry, the animator might choose to stage the scene with a low-angle shot in order to give the viewer the feeling of powerlessness.

Straight Ahead Action & Pose-to-Pose: A technique used in animation which refers to the way animators create movement. In Straight Ahead Action, an animator will draw frame by frame from start to finish in order to create the illusion of movement. On the other hand, pose-to-pose animation involves drawing keyframes and then filling in the gaps between them. Animators often use a combination of both techniques when creating scenes. Straight Ahead Action is used to give a scene more life and energy, while Pose-to-Pose Animation allows for more precision and control over characters’ movements. This combination helps ensure that a scene looks natural and believable without compromising on quality or detail.

Follow Through and Overlapping Action: An essential principle of animation, this refers to the way that characters’ limbs and accessories move when they perform an action. Animators use this technique to make a character’s movements look more believable by adding a sense of momentum or weight as they move around. Animators often utilize follow-through and overlapping action when animating characters that are running, jumping, or throwing something; for example, having their arms swing with each stride or having a character’s hair move as they turn their head. Animators also use this technique to add life and energy to any scene; for example, having a character’s cape ripple behind them as they run or having their clothing billow out when they jump.

Slow In & Out: A fundamental animation principle that refers to the use of gradual acceleration and deceleration when animating an action Animators will use this technique to make characters’ movements look more natural and believable by adding a sense of momentum or weight behind each action. This technique helps give a sense of inertia to movements and gives them a more natural feel. It is also used for facial expressions; for example, easing into a smile over several frames can help emphasize the emotion without making it seem too sudden or forced.

Arcs: The Animation Principle of Arcs refers to the use of curved movements when animating an action. Everything in nature moves on an arc! It is the most natural way for objects to move with gravity and momentum. Animators use this technique in order to give their characters a more natural and believable look; for example, instead of having a character move in straight lines, they would be animated using smooth arcs. By incorporating arcs into character movements, animators can add a sense of fluidity and grace that would otherwise be impossible to achieve with straight-line movements.

Secondary Action: This Animation Principle, refers to the use of additional, often subtle movements that are used in order to enhance the impact of a primary action. Animators use this technique to add life and emotion to any scene; for example, having a character’s eyes squint when they smile or their eyebrows furrow when they are angry. Animators typically use secondary action when animating characters performing activities like running, jumping, or throwing something; for example, having their arms flail as they sprint across a room or having them wiggle their fingers as they pick something up.

Timing: In animation, timing refers to the length of time it takes for a character to perform an action—how quickly or slowly they move, how long they pause, etc. Animators can use this technique in order to convey an emotion or give characters a more realistic feel; for example, by having a character take longer to move when sad or having them react quicker when surprised. Animators will also use Timing when animating comedic scenes; for example, having a character pause longer before making a joke or move slowly in order to create an awkward moment. Timing is used to ensure that each action feels realistic and has the desired effect on the audience.

Exaggeration: Animation is all about exaggeration. Animators use this principle to make an action appear more exaggerated and impactful than it would in real life. This technique allows animators to convey emotions, feelings, and reactions in a way that’s much stronger and more noticeable than if they were doing so using live-action footage. Animation studios frequently use exaggeration when creating humorous or comedic scenes, as it gives the audience a bigger laugh without sacrificing realism.

Solid Drawing: Solid Drawing is another fundamental animation principle that refers to the use of accurate anatomy and proportion when creating a character. Animation artists use this technique to create believable characters that are true-to-life or fantastical. Animators often use solid drawing in order to give their characters an extra level of realism; for example, making sure that a character’s eyes are not too large for their face or having them stand in a way that looks natural and balanced. Solid drawing is used to create characters with accurate anatomy and proportion, making them appear more realistic and true to life. Incorporating realistic elements into the animation helps draw the viewer in and makes for an effective narrative experience.

Appeal: Refers to a character’s likability and how they draw in the audience. Animation professionals use this technique to make sure that viewers are engaged with the characters from the start of the story, for example, by having them be relatable or employ charming mannerisms. Animation studios usually employ experienced animators who specialize in incorporating their own personalities and life experiences into their animation to capture an audience’s attention and ensure that their projects are successful. Animators also use appeal when creating scenes involving villains, for example, by making them sympathetic or giving them characteristics that make them seem more human. Appeal guarantees that each character feels real and engaging, thus ensuring that viewers have an enjoyable experience.

These principles are fundamental to creating sincere and believable animation that captures the attention of viewers and makes your characters come to life. Animation is a complex art form and a powerful tool for storytelling, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. It requires skill, knowledge, and understanding, but with the right tools and techniques, it can become an incredibly powerful medium. Invest in books like The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston and The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams to get started on your animation journey today!